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I agree, it's a problem in many workplaces.
In a retail setting, one can always take their $$ elsewhere. But not so in the workplace.
I've not experienced it while shopping but then I seldom patronize department or big box stores, other than Costco. I don't buy electronics there since their selection/prices are so-so but I enjoy browsing that section and without fail someone offers to help or answer questions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Escort Rider
But in many work situations, older people are on their way out, or at least perceived to be, and so may be ignored by some (perhaps many) of the younger workers.
A personal example: seven or eight years ago, a supervisor brought me back out of retirement for a temporary, but critically important project. He valued my contribution, and his secretary had noticed that. She paid attention to me and showed a lot of active respect, always greeting me by name. Now, several years after that, same secretary (but different supervisor) and I am back once a week as a volunteer. For that secretary, I no longer exist and she looks right through me. Our connection had never been personal and we had not actually worked together beyond rather superficial contacts. I am now just some old has-been who is completely irrelevant.
For the past six months, I have been shopping for a laptop to supplement my desktop and my Surface.
I go into a certain large electronics big box. I am looking for help. I stand there for 10 minutes and can get no one to answer any of my questions. I have gone through this at three locations throughout the US.
So I adopted a new strategy. I bring my 19 yo nephew with me. Within 30 seconds, we have not one but two people ready to answer my questions.
Does anyone else experience this when shopping for technology?
I speak up or wait next to a clerk when he's helping someone else.
I'll also go to customer service to a cashier to ask for help
I was at a store recently (not Best Buy), where two two sales clerks were busy discussing someone else's love life in great detail. I waited for a few minutes for one of them to notice me, but when they didn't, I walked up and said, "Pardon me, could someone help me with ___?" They exchanged looks, sighed, and then, to my astonishment, played a quick "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to see who had help me. The LOSER had to leave their comfy perch behind the cash register station. She sighed, hauled herself up and shuffled out, with a "So, what do you want?" "I want the manager of the store -- NOW." She shuffled off, and ten minutes later, the manager came out of the back with an annoyed look on his face. I explained, very calmly, what happened -- no embellishments, no judgements, no indignation, just a simple recitation of the facts. The look on the manager's face was priceless -- and no, I didn't buy anything there, nor did I ever return. They were out of business three months later, no surprise there.
I agree with you to a point. However, Best Buy makes a big deal that they don't pay commissions to their employees so why should they worry whether I buy anything from them??
That is what my son said when I told him I find it odd that I can't get help in electronics stores these days. He said - well - if they worked on commission, it would probably be different.
He said it has nothing to do with my age but rather with folks just not feeling an impetus to give good customer service when they get the same salary, regardless. He said a lot of these folks have taken jobs after graduating from college, not finding anything corporate, and they resent having to work there to begin with - so they are very disengaged.
I work in retail and I won't stand for bad service when I shop somewhere. I have no reservations about asking to speak to a Manager and letting him/her know how I was not taken care of.
Part of the problem is that companies today are cheap and under staff their stores and hire kids/adults for minimum wage for less than 32 hours a week. In essence, you get what you pay for. The company I work for actually tends to over serve our customers..........we may have 5 Associates on the floor and when each of them passes by a customer we ask them if they need any help. Sometimes a customer will say "For God's sake, leave me alone !" But at least we are not ignoring them.
If I am having a conversation with another employee (or even a District Manager) and a customer comes near I immediately turn my attention to the customer. There is nothing worse than two employees chit chatting while a customer needs help, that is simply business 101.
Because they also have tasks other than sales. If their tasks frequently aren't done and they don't have any sales to show for it, they don't keep their jobs.
Nearly everybody in retail runs when they see lonely, garrulous customers with a reputation for buying nothing or buying cheap.
But here's the thing . . . how can someone tell just by looking at me that I would be CHEAP, especially when I am looking at Apple/Mac accessories? And I have an iPhone in my hand?
If sales clerks had any logic at all, they would realize that someone over 60, looking at products, represents the demographic in this country that probably DOES have the resources, whether credit or cash, to buy the items they are asking about.
But here's the thing . . . how can someone tell just by looking at me that I would be CHEAP, especially when I am looking at Apple/Mac accessories? And I have an iPhone in my hand?
If sales clerks had any logic at all, they would realize that someone over 60, looking at products, represents the demographic in this country that probably DOES have the resources, whether credit or cash, to buy the items they are asking about.
They can't tell, but they can go on past experience. Unfortunately many older people have little understanding of newer technology, they ask endless questions and take up a lot of time and end up buying the simplest (and cheapest) gadget they can get away with. It happens with younger people too, but just more common with the older people. I'm sure that once you open your mouth and the employee realizes that you know what you're talking about they probably breath a big sigh of relief and are happy to work with you.
And while older people may have more money, in my experience it's a lot harder to get them to part with it, especially on things that aren't typically considered 'luxury' items, like phones.
You're assuming you're going to get correct answers to your questions from a retail store. In most cases these people have very little training or experience, commensurate with their wages. Do most of your research on line, then look at the item in the store, to see if you like the look, touch of the screen etc. Then buy from who you prefer.
^^^
This.
I prefer to be ignored in technology stores (and other stores as well), until I have decided what I want. But I kinda' have an unfair advantage because I work in technology. I hate it when store workers hover over me.
Except at the Apple Store - I'm amazed to hear that anyone was ignored at an Apple Store!
Now that I think of it, it's kind of scary that the minimum-wage clerks in technology stores are advising non-technological-aware people ...
For the past six months, I have been shopping for a laptop to supplement my desktop and my Surface.
I go into a certain large electronics big box. I am looking for help. I stand there for 10 minutes and can get no one to answer any of my questions. I have gone through this at three locations throughout the US.
So I adopted a new strategy. I bring my 19 yo nephew with me. Within 30 seconds, we have not one but two people ready to answer my questions.
Does anyone else experience this when shopping for technology?
When I lived in Maryland, Best Buy was famous for that.
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But at least we are not ignoring them.
